2014 Toyota Corolla Spied Again

Our spy photographers caught the 2014 Toyota Corolla out testing, marking the third time we've spotted the future compact sedan on development runs. Even with all the camouflage and cladding, it's clear that the 2014 Toyota Corolla will hew quite closely to the Furia concept.

The Toyota Furia concept, shown at this year's Detroit auto show, was said to hint at future styling direction for the Corolla. But a source told us all of the concept car's hard points -- greenhouse, C-pillar, and so on -- would carry over to the production car. Sure enough, this 2014 Toyota Corolla prototype has the same sloped hood; fat, sloping C-pillar; upswept beltline and prominent character line; and stubby trunk as the Furia.

Likewise, we see evidence to confirm one source's promise that the 2014 Toyota Corolla would look, "as though an Avalon and a RAV4 had a baby." This prototype's nose has the same wide, plunging grille treatment seen on both of those Toyota models. The grille is bisected by what appears to be a body-color panel, before leading to the lower grille opening. Despite the uncovered 15-inch steel wheels, this is obviously a high-spec Corolla as it has fog lights and HID headlights.

Under the hood, the 2014 Toyota Corolla is likely to use an updated version of its current 1.8-liter inline-four engine, with transmission choices comprising a six-speed manual or continuously variable transmission. Expect a significant fuel-economy bump compared to the current car's ratings -- it only manages up to 27/34 mpg (city/highway) with a manual transmission. There is also an outside possibility Toyota will introduce a Corolla hybrid with either the 1.5-liter system from the Prius c or the 1.8-liter system from the standard Prius.

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